Mercury Exposure and Health Hazards in Dental Patients -A Review

Abstract

Mercury has long been used in medicinal and industrial applications, making it a common source of chemical exposure and an environmental pollutant. It exists in organic and inorganic forms; inorganic mercury includes elemental mercury and mercury salts, typically encountered through devices like thermometers or ingestion of batteries and laxatives. Organic mercury exposure mainly occurs via contaminated seafood, mercury-based paints, or thimerosal. Dental amalgam, commonly known as silver fillings, has been widely used for centuries to restore decayed teeth, valued for its strength and durability, especially in molar teeth. It consists of about 50% mercury mixed with silver, tin, copper, and zinc. Despite known toxicity concerns, amalgam remains widely used, though the WHO recommended its phase-out in 2007.Both patients and dental professionals face mercury exposure risks from dental amalgam. Acute high-level exposure can lead to neurological problems, severe respiratory complications such as corrosive bronchitis and interstitial pneumonitis.This paper discusses the current knowledge on the exposure, adverse health effects and management of mercury exposure in dental practice.